Hawkins is back after serving his contentious one-match ban for striking Greater Western Sydney's Phil Davis, with Darcy Lang omitted.

The Dogs will be trying to snap a run of losses against the Cats, having failed to come away with the points in their past eight attempts - their last win coming in round 21, 2009.

"I try to talk about more recent history, things that the core of our group have been involved in, so we haven't spoken about that," Beveridge said.

"It doesn't really matter to us too much ... the one that does is probably when they beat us last year.

"We recognise and understand how good the Cats are ... how experienced they are and how they've beaten some very good sides this year. Their best is as good as anyone's so we'll have to be at our best."